Civil supplies to reach target by Sept 30: Eatala

Hyderabad, Sept.14: Minister for Civil Supplies Eatala Rajender today directed the officials concerned to take all steps to reach the target of procuring 30 lakh tons of foodgrains by September 30. At a review meeting at MCRHRD, Eatala discussed with Commissioner CV Anand, officials and Joint Collectors on customs milling rice (CMR), procurement of food grains in Kharif, payment of bills, conditions of godowns, repairs, Deepam, transportation charges and other issues. Of 30 lakh tons target, so far the Civil Supplies wing procured 15 lakh tons. It was decided in the meeting to make timely payment of the bills to the farmers, he said and asked the officials to take necessary steps. He also asked them to make all arrangements to speed up the process to procure the rest of food grains and provide all facilities at the purchase centers. Directing the Joint Collectors to focus on the purview of the godowns in the wake of new districts coming into effect from Dasara festival, he asked to take stringent measures against millers in collecting arrears. CV Anand informed that they collected Rs 203 crore arrears from the millers in 10 days, 76,500 tons of rice worth Rs 203 crore procured against 1,81,000 tons worth Rs 482 crore in 20 days and steps are on to procure the rest. The government also took steps to prevent the illegal diversion of rice through ration shops using SMS facility. If the vehicles carrying ration rice take the wrong path than it is supposed to go SMS alert will prevent it through new software. The mobile phone numbers of Sarpanches, ward members, MPTCs, ZPTCs will be added to software for the purpose he said.